Cost of LVN/LPN schooling..

scoobydoo32, RN · May 8, 2007

my school is 8200 and doesnt include nclex, which i feel sucks also we still dont know where are graduations is being held and we graduate in 9 weeks.:flamesonb

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 8, 2007

I attended an expensive, fast-track LVN program at a private vocational school in Southern California. The tuition was a whopping $20,000 for a 12 month program.

feisty_lpn, LPN · May 8, 2007

The 12-month LPN program I went to included the cost of EVERYTHING in its fees... books, lab fees, 3 full uniforms w/ 1 lab coat, NCLEX, graduation costs, organization dues... everything. When something was due to be paid like NCLEX or the student nurse 3 day conference & seminar, the school made sure those were paid.

The only costs I had out-of-pocket were: replacement uniforms, transportation, shoes and stockings, stethoscope, scissors, and school supplies (pens, paper, folders, backpack, etc).

I was in the 2004 graduating class and it was approx $8000. I heard it went up to $12,000 for this year's class.

pagandeva2000, LPN · May 8, 2007

It sounds like you are attending a private school. I do hear that they offer more attention than what is offered at community colleges, which can be an advantage. I think that mine was about close to $6000 but, I attended a competitive community college. Clinicals sort of sucked, also. And, yes, it can be very stressful to plan out all of the things you mentioned...personalities and fatigue is on high alert here. Best of luck...know that this will soon be over! :0)

msdobson · May 9, 2007

... out of curiosity, I know it seems personal... but how much was the cost of some of your LVN/LPN schooling? Did it include the cost of your graduation and also your NCLEX? Mine school was over $20,000 and come to find out we only have a small reserve of $1000 to cover graduation. which that mostly includes the banquet hall and food but doesnt really take into consideration our gowns we have to get and so forth. I think it is the mjost ridiculous thing I have ever heard... and to top it off we have to plan our graduation... where we want it, the date, etc. Honestly, at this point Im on burn out mode and cant wait to get out of there. I have had great experience and exposure but this totally tops the cake!!!

Consider yourself very lucky. I was listening to the recruiter's pitch at Western Career College (Sacramento, California), and they want $41,000 for their LVN/LPN program. However, no long waiting lists there, but...

Michael

pagandeva2000, LPN · May 9, 2007

Consider yourself very lucky. I was listening to the recruiter's pitch at Western Career College (Sacramento, California), and they want $41,000 for their LVN/LPN program. However, no long waiting lists there, but...
Michael

I am sure that they have a 1:1 teacher/student ratio there...who could afford to apply and then if they obtained a loan, pay it back on an LPN salary??

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 9, 2007

I am sure that they have a 1:1 teacher/student ratio there...who could afford to apply and then if they obtained a loan, pay it back on an LPN salary??

So true. A good rule of thumb, in my humble opinion, is to never borrow more money than you might earn in one year.

I know of a law school graduate who borrowed over $125,000 in student loans, and he secured a job as a legal aid lawyer with a starting salary of $35,000 per year. He has to walk around with this ball-and-chain, better known as outrageous student loan debt.

catslave · May 9, 2007

The PN program I attended in 2004 had a base cost of $11,000 for state residents, not including registration fees, books, transportation, required equipment, uniforms or graduation fees/cap & gown or NCLEX costs. Graduation took place 3 hours away from my campus and cake and punch were supplied refreshments.

This year a PN tuition for this campus is a base of $14,000 for state residents and $24,000 for nonresidents for the same program.

CseMgr1, ASN, RN · May 9, 2007

I am sitting here rubbing my eyes in disbelief, as I read these posts. Back in 1971, when I enrolled in the Practical Nursing program at a local technical school, the total cost (tuition, books and uniforms) was $500.

Just....unbelieveable. My State's Board of Regents just announced another 15% tuition increase for the 2007-2008 school year for their State-supported universities and colleges. The way things are going, there is NO way that my son will be able to afford to send my three grandchildren to college...unless we win the lottery.

scallywags · May 9, 2007

... out of curiosity, I know it seems personal... but how much was the cost of some of your LVN/LPN schooling? Did it include the cost of your graduation and also your NCLEX? Mine school was over $20,000 and come to find out we only have a small reserve of $1000 to cover graduation. which that mostly includes the banquet hall and food but doesnt really take into consideration our gowns we have to get and so forth. I think it is the mjost ridiculous thing I have ever heard... and to top it off we have to plan our graduation... where we want it, the date, etc. Honestly, at this point Im on burn out mode and cant wait to get out of there. I have had great experience and exposure but this totally tops the cake!!!

That sounds exactly like my school! We had our graduation this past weekend and the school granted us $1000 towards the costs. A committee joined together to plan and prepare for the ceremony. It all worked out really well. I think it ended up costing about $40 per person, cap/gown included.

In the Bay Area, huh? I bet we are at the same school.........

Sensoria17 · May 9, 2007

HeartJulz,

What school did you attend? I'm also in the East Bay. I attended the lottery for CCSF and ended up at #44. They only pick 40. :madface: I'm praying 4 people either don't show up for orientation or don't get their documents turned in on time. Next on the agenda is NCP.